Topic
consumer protection
Regulations & Compliance Amazon and UL Sue Aipas Ebike Makers Over Fraudulent Safety Certifications
Amazon and UL settled a lawsuit in July 2026 against Chinese ebike manufacturers for falsely claiming UL safety certification. The permanent injunction prohibits use of the UL mark. The case underscores a broader problem of counterfeit certifications on online marketplaces, with serious implications for product safety, especially regarding lithium-ion battery fires.
'Cool in 90 seconds' – UK regulators warn of fake portable air conditioners flooding online marketplaces
Deceptive adverts for portable air conditioners claiming to 'cool a room in 90 seconds' are appearing on Facebook and YouTube, according to the UK Advertising Standards Authority (ASA). The ASA warns the products are often 'too good to be true', with AI-generated visuals and fake customer reviews. Cross-border sellers should note the ASA's enforcement notices and the risk of banning non-compliant adverts.
Trade Australia Sues Amazon Over Allegedly Unfair Prime Video Contracts With Subscribers
Australia's consumer watchdog, the ACCC, has filed a lawsuit against Amazon, alleging the tech giant used unfair contract terms to introduce ads in Prime Video without providing refunds. The ACCC claims the terms affected over one million annual subscribers between November 2023 and August 2025.
Trade India to Chair Ninth Session of UNCTAD Consumer Protection Experts Meeting in Geneva
India, represented by Secretary Nidhi Khare, will chair the Ninth Session of the Intergovernmental Group of Experts on Consumer Protection Law and Policy in Geneva from 6th to 8th July 2026. The session, organised by UNCTAD, will focus on consumer information, sustainable consumption, enforcement in global markets, and cross-border protection.
Regulations & Compliance Which? Finds 150 Unsafe Baby Products Still Sold on Major Online Marketplaces
A Which? investigation identified 150 potentially dangerous baby products—self-feeders, sleep pillows, and sleeping bags—listed for sale by third parties on eight online marketplaces including Amazon, eBay, and TikTok. Many products were subject to official safety warnings from the Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS). Which? is urging the UK government to impose a clear legal duty on online marketplaces for product safety under the Product Regulation and Metrology Act.
Finance UK Banks Accused of Failing Vulnerable Customers by Financial Regulator
The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has accused nine major UK banks of failing the most vulnerable customers, with a mystery shopping exercise rating a third of basic bank account interactions as poor or very poor. Banks have now agreed to simplify access for homeless and financially distressed individuals.
FSSAI Issues Notices to Heritage, La Casa, Cipzer Over Misleading Food Claims
India's food regulator, FSSAI, has issued notices to several food business operators for misleading claims and labelling violations. Brands targeted include 'Heritage Fresh Paneer', 'La Casa vegan hazelnut chocolate spread', and 'Cipzer Nutraceuticals juice capsules'. The regulator also previously warned energy drink makers about unauthorised functional claims.
E-Commerce & Marketplaces StubHub UK Ordered to Refund Over 50,000 Customers and Pay £900,000 Fine for Hidden Fees
StubHub UK has been ordered by the CMA to refund more than 50,000 customers and pay a £900,000 fine for failing to display mandatory fees upfront. Each customer will receive an average of £10 per transaction. This action is part of the CMA's broader crackdown on drip pricing under the new Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act.
E-Commerce & Marketplaces Ticket Reseller StubHub Fined £900,000 by UK CMA for Hidden Fees; Customers to Receive Refunds
The UK Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) fined ticket reseller StubHub £900,000 for failing to display total prices upfront, including hidden fees. More than 50,000 customers are expected to receive refunds averaging £10 per transaction. The CMA warned that hidden fees are illegal and unfair to consumers.
Technology World Cup Scams Are Getting Harder to Spot as AI Fuels Surge in Fraudulent Domains
The 2026 FIFA World Cup has triggered an unprecedented wave of sophisticated scams, with AI-generated websites and phishing campaigns making fraud harder to spot. More than 13,000 FIFA-themed domains were registered in early 2026, with roughly one in 41 identified as malicious. Cybersecurity firms warn that AI is both enabling attackers and powering defenses, but collaboration and human vigilance remain critical.
CCPA Fines Storia Foods and English Oven Rs 1 Lakh Each for Misleading '100%' Claims on Food Labels
The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) fined Storia Foods and Mrs. Bectors Food Specialities (English Oven) Rs 1 lakh each for misleading '100%' claims on product packaging. The CCPA directed both companies to immediately remove deceptive claims from all platforms, including websites and e-commerce sites, under the Consumer Protection Act, 2019.
Technology Anthropic Sued Over Claude Max Usage Limits: What Enterprise Leaders Should Know About AI Subscription Risks
Anthropic faces a class-action lawsuit over the actual usage limits of its Claude Max subscription plans, which a user claims are far lower than advertised. The case highlights the fundamental mismatch between traditional subscription pricing and the variable costs of AI inference, with implications for enterprise technology procurement.
Regulations & Compliance ASCI Report Reveals Structural Failure in Influencer Marketing, Says Chrtbox Head Raj Mishra
The latest ASCI report shows a 21% surge in misleading ad complaints, with 97.3% of violations on digital platforms and 1,609 influencer ads flagged. Raj Mishra, Group CEO of QYOU Media and head of Chrtbox, describes it as a structural failure and calls for upstream compliance, creator education, and AI-powered scanning. He also discusses the shifting creator economy, where performance-linked marketing is bifurcating creator rates.
Business Ryanair Investigated by UK CMA Over Parent-Child Seating Fees
The UK's Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has launched an investigation into Ryanair over its practice of charging parents a mandatory fee to sit next to their child on flights. The fee, typically £8 each way, is required by the airline's terms for children aged 2-11. The CMA is examining whether this charge violates consumer protection laws regarding safety and disability obligations.
E-Commerce & Marketplaces GLP-1 Online Scams Entangle Unsuspecting Patients, Triggering Supply Chain and R
A WIRED investigation into online telehealth provider FitRx/Zealthy reveals a pattern of deceptive billing and shipment of unwanted GLP-1 drugs like tirzepatide. Customers face denied refunds due to 'supply chain and privacy' policies, despite FDA and FTC oversight. The case highlights risks in the booming online weight-loss drug market projected to reach $150 billion.
Regulations & Compliance Unsafe Knock-off Chargers Pose Explosive Risks
A report by Which? highlights the dangers of knock-off phone chargers sold online, posing risks of electric shock and explosion. The consumer group calls for stricter regulations on online marketplaces.
Regulations & Compliance Beauty Pie LED Mask Ad Banned for Misleading Claims
The Advertising Standards Authority banned Beauty Pie's LED mask ad for misleading anti-wrinkle claims. The ad lacked robust evidence to support its claims of wrinkle reduction.
Government Launches Portal for Unclaimed Financial Assets
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CCPA fines Vajiram & Ravi Rs 7 lakh for misleading claims
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